tartaric acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. an organic compound, C 4 H 6 O 6 , existing in four isomeric forms, the common or dextrorotatory isomer being a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder or transparent crystals: used in effervescent beverages, baking powders, confections, photography, and tanning.

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tartaric acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid.  a colourless or white odourless crystalline water-soluble dicarboxylic acid existing in four stereoisomeric forms, the commonest being the dextrorotatory ( d- ) compound which is found in many fruits: used as a food additive ( E334 ) in soft drinks, confectionery, and baking powders and in tanning and photography. Formula: HOOCCH(OH)CH(OH)COOH

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tartaric acid Scientific  

/ tär-tăr′ĭk /

1. A crystalline organic acid that exists in three isomeric forms and occurs widely in plants. It is found in byproducts of wine fermentation and has a wide variety of uses, including to make cream of tartar and baking powder, to add effervescence to beverages, to polish metal, in printing and dyeing, and to make photographic chemicals. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₆ O ₆ .

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Etymology

Origin of tartaric acid

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

I identify the markers of specific natural products: Tartaric acid is a fingerprint compound for grapes in the Middle East, for example, while calcium oxalate points to the presence of barley beer.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2015

Tartaric acid occurs in large amounts only in grapes, and terebinth resin was a wine preservative used all over the ancient Near East up through Roman times.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tartaric acid is generally used by commercial candy makers, but is much more injurious to health.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Tartaric acid, or salt of lemons, will quickly remove stains from white muslin or linen.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Burroughs, Barkham

Tartaric acid is seldom used alone, but very often in combination with cream of tartar.

From Human Foods and Their Nutritive Value by Snyder, Harry